Poland and the United States have opened talks about a plan to station some U.S. anti-missile defenses in Poland.

The talks Thursday in the Polish capital, Warsaw, involve a U.S. assistant secretary of state and follow lower-level discussions earlier in May. They also come a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia still opposes the plan, which he said could lead to a new arms race.

Poland's prime minister, Jaroslaw Kaczynski, has spoken favorably of the U.S. proposal but insists it must enhance Poland's security. Other Polish officials say they are still clarifying issues with their American counterparts and that nothing has been decided.

The U.S. says it is not directing the shield at Russia but wants to protect the U.S. and its European allies against missile attack by states such as Iran and North Korea.

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